Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II launch brings $100K price cut

Launched this week locally, the mid-life update of Rolls-Royce’s entry model that premiered in its original guise in 2009 is priced at $545,000 drive-away, where it was previously $645,000. 

Of course, the price of any Rolls is really only academic, as almost every car sold is a bespoke version with an array of options and trim packages selected from the factory on a built-to-order basis. 

Australia has one of the highest ‘bespoke’ take-up rates in the Asia Pacific region, and is in the top five in the region for total Ghost sales. 

Read about our recent experience at the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood here.

In order to get the starting price down, Rolls-Royce has deleted a number of features from the features list and made them extra-cost options, a move it says better suits “the blank canvas” approach its buyers generally take before “commissioning” their own specific car. 

In other words, the company has removed the stuff not all customers want, and if they do want it, they can just pay extra for it. 

The features removed include: 20-inch alloy wheels with a satin finish, chromed visible exhaust, full camera system (front/side), picnic tables, rear theatre setup, lamb wool floor mats and Drivers Assist 3 package. 

The Ghost Series II update brings a number of tweaks to the table. Externally, there are re-engineered and re-designed LED headlights and daytime running lights, re-sculpted bumpers, a new bonnet with tapered ‘wake channel’ and revised paint and wheel options.

Inside are new seats with better thigh support and depth adjustment, while the rear seats have been re-angled. The clock and dials are now ringed by polished metal like an expensive watch.

The suspension has also been re-engineered, resulting in new front and rear struts, new steering gear and sportier damping when the Dynamic Driving Package is optioned. New hydraulic rear axle bearings are said to improve ride quality while reducing in-cabin vibrations even further. 

Power comes from a familiar 6.6 litre V12 petrol engine producing 420kW and 780Nm, which consumes premium unleaded at a rate of 21.2 l/100km in the city and 9.8 l/100km on highway cycle. The 0-100km/h dash is dispatched in 4.9s. 

As before, there is the option of an extended wheelbase version, which 170mm longer that the regular model, all of which is between the wheels to make the back seats even more lavish. 

Rolls-Royce has received steady sales interest in the Ghost this year compared to last via its four-dealer network, with 11 sold YTD in both years. That said, it Coupe sales (thanks to the Wraith) have jumped from just 1 unit to October last year, to 23 this year. 

The combined sales growth of the brand’s line-up is 180 per cent year-on-year.